The sisters-in-law were busying themselves in the kitchen while chatting, discussing the new shop. Cheng Su felt it was necessary to discuss the shop’s situation with Qi Fengping first, so she told her everything exactly as it was, without adding or omitting anything.
Qi Fengping was stunned, "What? A shop with a bad omen? Goodness, why are you so bold to buy a shop like that?"
A shop where someone had died was a huge taboo to many people!
Cheng Su smiled, "It’s nothing, really. That was just an accident, and besides, it happened so long ago that it’s been forgotten. I’ve also had a Taoist priest perform rituals there."
Even so, Qi Fengping still felt uneasy inside, just the thought of it made her skin crawl.
Watching her sister-in-law’s expression closely, Cheng Su said, "Big sister, if you think there’s something wrong with the place, I won’t force you to go. Just think it over!"
After all, one should do things willingly; she didn’t want to impose on anyone.
Qi Fenglian stiffened slightly, shoved the firewood into the stove, thought for a moment, and said, "I’ll go!"
Cheng Su was slightly surprised, "Big sister, you’re not afraid?"
"Afraid? It’s not that I’m afraid, just feeling a bit squeamish. But as you said, the incident is long past and forgotten. And it’s not like we were the ones who harmed her, so why should we feel guilty?" said Qi Fenglian, trying to sound nonchalant.
Cheng Su smiled.
Qi Fenglian sighed, "Frankly, even if I were afraid, I’d still have to go. It’s a great opportunity to make a change, and I’m certainly not going to pass it up!"
Her in-laws’ home was like a quagmire, trapping her and leaving her unable to move. Finally, someone offered her a lifeline, which she was of course going to hold on to tightly—this could be her only chance!
And as for the shop being haunted, what of it? One could get used to it!
"Are you sure your mother-in-law will let you go?" Cheng Su asked again.
"She’ll have to let me go, we can’t just stay at home, tending to that small patch of farm forever, can we? What future would there be in that?" said Qi Fenglian with a hint of bitterness, adding, "Besides, I don’t want to stay at home and face them, it’s too distressing."
"If you’ve made up your mind, big sister, then go to Qing City on the tenth. Our restaurant will open on the eighth day of the lunar month. Once you’re there, get familiar with the restaurant’s operations first, learn a bit, and when the new shop opens, you’ll be able to pick things up more quickly," Cheng Su suggested.
Qi Fenglian nodded.
As they were speaking, Qi Fengping peeked her head through the kitchen door and called out, "Sister-in-law, mom says to cook two more cups of rice and two more dishes, we have guests."
Cheng Su was startled, dinner was almost ready, what guests were these, and how many of them were there?
Seeing Qi Fengping about to leave after dropping the message, she quickly said, "Hey, little sister-in-law, don’t rush off. Who are these guests, and how many are there?"
Qi Fenglian was also puzzled, saying, "It’s only the third day of the lunar month, who would be visiting relatives at this time?"
Qi Fengping replied, "It’s Auntie, along with my elder cousin sister and her kids, and my younger cousin brother and sister, five people in total."
Auntie?
Qi Fenglian was surprised and stood up, "Auntie has come?"
Qi Fengping nodded and dashed off.
Qi Fenglian was about to head out when Cheng Su quickly grabbed her and asked, "Big sister, who is this auntie? How come I don’t remember her?"
"She’s mom’s real elder sister, who moved to Liu County. It’s no wonder you don’t know, when you and Taiguo got married, Auntie’s family didn’t even come to the wedding feast," sighed Qi Fenglian.
Cheng Su found this even more strange. If Auntie was a close relative, why wouldn’t she attend her own nephew’s wedding?